Edward callow



E. CALLOW,

' Gunpowder.

' Patented Feb. 17, 1852.

vso

EDI/WARD CALLOW, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

EXPLOSIVE COMPOSITION FOR BLASTING ROCKS.

' Specification of Letters Patent N o. 8,734, dated February 17, 1852.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD OALLoW, of the city of London, in the Kingdom of England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Explosive Compounds; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to certain drawings led in the oflice of the Commissioner herewith and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention relates to improvements in explosive compounds or improved gunpowder which is adapted either for the purpose of blasting rock or occasioning other disruption and also to act on projectiles. These explosive compounds co-nsist of the following combinations in which the several parts are determined by weight but I do not confine myself to the exact and precise proportion of the materials under mentioned as they may be varied but I believe the quantities and proportions I have given to be attended with the most beneficial result.

This compound -consists of five parts of chlorate or oxymuriate of potash, twoparts or orpiment o r red sulfuret of arsenic and one part of ferrocyamiret or prussiate of potash.

To enable others to make and use my invent-ion I will proceed to describe its constit-ution and operation.

In the manipulation of this compound the materials must be each separately ground to a fine and impalpable powder, care being taken that the various ingredients be kept quite separate and distinct during the grinding of the same. It must be observed that the finer the particles of the various ingredients are ground the more perfect will be the combustion and the more active in effect. `When ground and weighed the various ingredients may be mixed together either by means of sieves o-r by rubbing with the hand on a wooden table, care being taken that no metals or any hard substance be brought in contact wit-h it, and all tendency to percussion force taking effect on it must be carefully avoided as the mixture is of a detonating character. When the ingredients of the compound are thus intimately and thoroughly mixed they may be dampened sulficiently for the purposes of molding or granulation according as the compound may be preferred in grain or in a solid state. kIt is not absolutely necessary however to either mold or grain it as it is equally effective in explosion if in powder.

The figure marked No. l on the sheet of drawings represents a suction and plan of a mold for a mining cartridge and Fig. 2, a vertical and cross sections of the cartridge, the mold consists simply of a tube a a with a projection b on the interior which when the charge is molded therein produces a vertical cavity for the insertion of t-he fuse.

The charge is removed from the mold and inserted in the ordinary cartridge case as shown at Fig. 2, to which the fus-e is applied in the usual manner. Fig. 3 represents a plan and section of molds for musket or gun cartridges or charges in which as also the mining cartridges the compounds are molded in a damp state and which become of a solid though friable substance in which state the molded masses are made up into cartridges as described.

In dampening t-he composition a little gam may be mixed with the waterto give a consistency to the powder and render it rm when molded.

Instead of forming the whole 'of the charge for mining cartridges in a solid state the case may be charged with the compound in a powder and the case stopped in the usual manner or a solid piece of the cone;- pound may 'be used and placed at top for the purpose.

The molded compound is allowedto dry `slowly and when thoroughly dry is ready for use, while in the damp state the combustion will be slow and without explosion.

The cartridge cases may be either made of paper, wood or any other' suitable material the ends being of wood or gutta percha, a small hole being left in one end for the insertion of the fuse.

These compounds may be mixed with other ingredients as when it is necessary to weaken th-e mixture and extend its force over a greater surface as practised in mining operations or for other objects.

The proportions and materials given will. if properly carried out result in the perfect combustion of the whole and will be attended I believe with a good effect.

The cartridge cases may be varnished over with any description of varnish or resinous mat-ter to render then waterproof.

That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The explosive compound herein described;

but I would have it understood that some of the materials mentioned as component parts in my improved explosive compound have been used before by p-yrotechnists and others in the manufacture of various fireworks and that as regards such use I do not claim any thing in my invention except so far as regards the combination I have given and for the purposes also mentioned.

The shape and material of the cartridge cases have nothing to do with my invention they being optional With the party using them. I have only given drawings of and described what I have found to be the most convenient for the purpose.

And nally I declare the foregoing to be a correct specification of my said invention, in testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this t\ventyifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one.

EDWARD GALLOW.

Witnesses:

JAMES M. CURLEY7 WILLIAM EWING. 

